LifeChem Laboratory Services
[ The following is an excerpt from a discussion
the LifeChem R & D Team had with an operational General Manager of a
reputed Natural Stone manufacturing industry. It has been modified to focus on
general issues and omitting the specific issues. ]
Q : We are about going to cut a new granite
type, namely "Camelia White".
This type of natural stone is very sensitive, in a sense that after being cut
into slabs, the surface easily becomes yellowish / stainful. So far we tried to
use acids for cleaning the slabs. But there is concern about this acid usage,
specially for long term use that will take one or two months. Moreover, we are
not particularly pay attention for disposing the acid after being used. I am
afraid the acid will dilute with all the water in the factory, causing damage,
specially enhance the natural corrosion process which already is a problem. It
may also imbalance the environmental setup.
A : You are right, the acid when in excess quantity in the
recirculating waters will (1)
definitely effect the stability of the whole coagulation process, (2) may also destabilise the cylo water
treatment (3) as well as have direct
impact on the flora & fauna in the area. (4) It definitely will also help aggravate the incidental and
regular corrosion process in the contacting surfaces.
The Products on the other hand will definitely be less vulnerable
to the above situation.
Q : Today we started the "LifeChem-Anti Corrosion" treatment
for this "Camelia White".
Instead of using a pump for spraying the LC 302 and LC 303 (before polishing), we are using an ordinary roller. And we apply it for
every slab at both sides.
A : The
above process should work fine. Prime attention should be given to the
following points during the treatment process.
1. After being removed from the Gang-Saw machine, the whole of the
exposed surface for each slab should get
the contact of the treatment liquid.
2. While treatment process is on, care
should be taken to check that enough quantity of the treatment liquid (eg. LC
302 ) is left on the slab surface for it to react.
3. The lower region of each slab from the original
block should get special attention where the residue from the Gang-Saw sludge
may contaminate and promote corrosion and stains.
4. The cleaning process of the cut block
from the Gang-Saw Machine must be
satisfactory too for less consumption of the treatment liquids.
Q : How can we discontinue using acids, and
start using the LifeChem ?
A : To
avoid the use of acids, you will need to use LifeChem LC 302 &
LC 303 (before polishing but after each block has been separated into
individual slabs).
Q : Given the time the slabs go from gangsaw to
the polishing process is very short, does it necessary to clean it with LifeChem LC 302 and
LC 303 ?
A : That's
a good question, but it all depends on some definite factors like, residual sludge,
residual water left to dry on the block, method & thoroughness in the
washing & cleaning process after being removed from the Gang-Saw Machine, the contamination
level and condition in the residual water, condition of the water being used
for cleaning, the climatic factors at the time of production and incidental
contamination during transport at the time of production.
It
can only be said that given two different slabs for treatment, one using all of
the LC's and in another only LC 304, then the one with complete treatment will
have less chances of contamination and better anti-corrosion and anti-stain
properties than the other.
If
time is short, we suggest the dip method for application
Q : Can we use the LC 304 (after polishing) without using the LC 302 and LC 303 first ?
A : Of-course
it can be used but the suggestion is to use a complete treatment even it be
manually or even a little late. I'm sure the cost factor will not be that of
concern when considered the various benefits from the treatment like
anti-corrosion, anti-stain, long term protection, quality product safe for the
machine, safe for the persons using and safe for the immediate environment and
the sewage. Finally the residual components in the LC products will also work
as a sludge conditioner.
Q : We need your recommendation on how to use
these LifeChem Products, and it should be very soon
because we have several hundred square meters of "Camelia White" to protect.
A : Hope
fully, all the above discussions is enough for you to use the LC products. Please contact LifeChem if you still have
any doubt.
We
may add that, you may right away start treating the slabs with LifeChem LC 302 & LC 303 as the slabs are separated from the main block after being removed
from the Gang-Saw Machine in a
manual fashion with rollers, trays and buckets. Be sure to treat on both the
sides as well as the edges with special attention to the bottom section of the
block where most of the residual sludge accumulates.
Treatment
may be taken up even if late or after 36 to 72 hours from the Gang-Saw Machine, We are sure the
anti-stain capability of the LC treatments
should be strong enough to work to your expectation.
We
suggest a dipping method for an effective and time saving process.